Blog: Perspectives

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On Wednesday, November 8th, 2017 OutRight Action International in collaboration with CUNY Law School, the Sorensen Center, Iraqueer, Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), Women’s International league for Peace and Freedom, and Madre, hosted an event with the honourable Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

On 27th October 2017, Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn, the United Nations (UN) Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, presented his first report to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. Despite rumoured threats of a mass walk out, a significant number of African States and members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) were notably in the room.

Right now at the United Nations Russia and Egypt are secretly trying to remove all reference to Principle 6 of the Olympic Charter from the Global Olympic Truce that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation at the Olympic Games.
Before every Olympic Games an international peace agreement is negotiated at the United Nations. The truce protects peace, safety and security for Athletes and their supporters. Sign this petition to United Nations countries to support the inclusion of Principle 6.

Quezon, Philippines--Following last September’s round table discussions, between Filipino LGBTIQ groups, local officials, and United States Police Chief of Special Liaison Branch, Lt. Brett Parson, OutRight remains optimistic that Filipino law enforcement will grow to reflect the needs of LGBTIQ citizens.

Like all NGOs, OutRight’s interventions at the General Assembly depend on civil society access to the UN. This entails physical access into United Nations (UN) buildings to engage with the various human rights mechanisms of the UN, including the UN Economic and Social Council, and even to special debates organized by the President of the General Assembly. OutRight utilizes its UN ECOSOC status every day to advocate for the protection and promotion of the human rights of LGBTI people within the UN system.

OutRight is excited to report back to you after a few days in St. Lucia where over 50 lesbian, bisexual, and trans (LBT) activists and allies gathered at the 5th annual Caribbean Women and Sexual Diversity Conference.

Things weren’t expected to go awry when Fadli and Fifi climbed into a taxi bound for Abu Dhabi’s Yas Mall. It never occurred to them that later that same day they would be sitting in a jail cell, unaware of their “crimes.”

Jessica Stern opened the event, introducing OutRight Action International, thanking the UN LGBTI Core Group, and welcoming the high-level government speakers. Recognizing the significance of the day’s event she noted, “Today’s gathering is the largest representation of States at the highest level on LGBTI human rights at the United Nations or anywhere – ever – that I’m aware of.”

As a trans female student, Nada Chaiyajit, gender activists from Thailand, faced severe barriers in accessing her education, continually being banned from sitting in exams when she dressed and presented herself as a female, and facing discrimination and harassment from teachers and students. Nada eventually dropped out of school and did not pursue her Bachelor’s degree again until 2013 at the age of 33. The second time around however Nada took it upon herself to challenge her university’s regulations and succeeded.